Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides it
- An addiction medicine doctor (narcologist) with experience in both mobile and inpatient care
- Where
- At the clinic, at home during a mobile team visit, or by video call
- Duration
- 40–60 minutes; longer if procedures are done during a home visit
- Anonymity
- No surname or ID required if you prefer, no state dispensary registry, full medical confidentiality
- When it’s urgent
- Confusion, seizures, chest pain, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A preliminary diagnosis, a risk assessment, written recommendations and a treatment plan
What you should know
The first consultation often happens not in an office but at a kitchen table. We arrive on a call in Bostandyk district, the woman of the house opens the door and whispers a request not to tell the neighbors who we are. And we don’t: the team wears no lettering on their clothes, and only a first name needs to appear in the paperwork. I sit down across from the man, introduce myself and explain right away that I am not going to “report” him anywhere or enter him into any database. Only after that does the conversation become honest.
Then comes an ordinary medical conversation. How much he uses and for how long, what he has tried in order to quit, how those attempts ended, whether there are problems with blood pressure, the liver, the heart or sleep. I measure blood pressure and pulse and check the pupils, the skin and any tremor. By the end of the visit, the person and the family have a clear plan: what to do tonight, whether detox is needed, which treatment is right after that and where to turn if things get worse.
Common Reasons People See an Addiction Doctor
- the urge to drink is becoming stronger than the intention to stop
- the amount of alcohol or drugs is gradually increasing while the effect is getting weaker
- in the morning, without a “hair of the dog,” the hands shake, the heart races and anxiety sets in
- drinking or drug use has led to missed work, conflicts or problems with driving
- relatives notice mood swings, lying or money going missing
- the person has tried to quit on their own but relapsed after a few days
- you need to figure out whether this is already an addiction or still just misuse
If two or three points apply, it is worth seeing a doctor. Phone advice is free and confidential. If life is at risk, call 103 or 112.
Why an Anonymous Consultation Matters
Many people put off seeing an addiction doctor for years because they fear being put on a registry or running into trouble with their driver’s license or their job. As a result, they come in only once complications have set in: pancreatitis, liver damage, severe withdrawal. An anonymous format removes this barrier. Paid anonymous care does not mean being placed on the state dispensary registry, and information about the patient is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.”
The second reason is honesty. When a person is confident that the conversation will not leave the room, they tell the truth about the amount, the frequency and the substances. Without that, the doctor cannot properly assess the risks: for example, combining alcohol with sedatives or stimulants calls for a completely different approach than an ordinary drinking binge. Accurate information is what makes a treatment plan safe.
How an Anonymous Consultation Works: From the Call to Recommendations
When you call, the dispatcher will ask only for what is essential: age, what was used, for how many days, whether there is vomiting, seizures or chronic illness. You can choose the format right away: a clinic appointment, a home visit or a video call. For home visits, the doctor arrives on average within an hour to an hour and a half; at rush hour the trip to the lower part of the city sometimes takes longer. The visit itself involves a conversation, an examination, a blood pressure check and, if needed, a rapid drug test and an ECG.
No alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) is performed at a consultation, and no potent medications are prescribed without an examination and tests. If the person has a high fever, signs of delirium, a serious head injury, bleeding or thoughts of suicide, the consultation is not carried out at home: call 103 or 112 and go to hospital. For pregnant women and people with serious heart or liver disease, the plan is drawn up with particular caution.
How we help
Clinical interview
The doctor goes through the history of substance use and checks for tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control and consequences, guided by the criteria for dependence in ICD-10 and ICD-11. Family history, co-occurring mental health problems — anxiety, depression, insomnia — and past experience of treatment are clarified separately. If a psychiatrist’s help is needed, the Narcology 24 doctor arranges for one to join right away.
Examination and rapid diagnostics
Blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation are measured, and the neurological status and the condition of the skin and mucous membranes are assessed. If needed, a rapid drug test and an ECG are done. If detailed blood tests and an ultrasound are required, the doctor gives a referral and explains where they can be done anonymously, including without having to travel from Alatau district to the city center.
Motivational interviewing
This is an evidence-based conversational technique that helps a person put into words why they want to change. The doctor doesn’t argue or shame but asks about values and plans. Even a single session like this increases readiness to start treatment, as confirmed by international guidelines, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Individual plan
At the end, the person receives recommendations: whether detox is needed at home or in hospital, which tests to take, and whether medication support, psychotherapy or rehab would be appropriate. The plan is discussed out loud so the patient understands every step and can decline anything that doesn’t suit them. The written recommendations stay with the patient.
Myths and facts
MythAfter seeing an addiction doctor, you get put on a registry
FactWhen care is paid and anonymous, no state dispensary registration takes place. The information is covered by medical confidentiality and is disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for example at the request of a court.
MythThe doctor will immediately start pushing alcohol “coding”
FactA consultation is first and foremost about diagnosis and a plan. Coding and blockers are considered only after an examination, the required period of sobriety and written consent, and only as part of comprehensive treatment.
MythYou should only see an addiction doctor when things are really bad
FactThe earlier a person comes in, the gentler the treatment and the fewer the complications. At an early stage, a few consultations, psychotherapy and health monitoring are sometimes enough, without IV drips or a hospital stay.
How a home visit works
- Call or message usThe dispatcher answers 24/7 and in 3–5 minutes checks the person's condition, age, how long the drinking or use has lasted, chronic conditions and the address. No surname needed.
- The doctor sets offAn addiction doctor or psychiatrist comes with equipment and medication. Travel time depends on the district — usually within an hour. If inpatient care or an ambulance is needed, we'll say so straight away.
- Examination and treatmentBlood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood sugar if needed and a neurological check. Then an IV drip or other treatment as indicated, 1–3 hours.
- A plan for the next daysAdvice for the family on what to do overnight and tomorrow, phone follow-up and a repeat visit if needed.
- Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.
Prices in Almaty
| Online addiction doctor consultation | 10 000 ₸ |
| In-person addiction doctor consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Phone advice | free |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
Narcology 24 in Almaty: our duty team makes home visits day and night, usually within an hour (all city districts and nearby settlements). Two branches for appointments and procedures — 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. When indicated, we arrange admission and transport.
Confidential and private
in Almaty our doctor can come in ordinary clothes in an unmarked car. Treatment documents are given only to the patient. If you need a certificate or sick note, this is discussed separately and only at your request.
Questions and answers
Do I need a passport for an anonymous consultation?
No, on an anonymous basis the first name you choose to give is enough. Documents may be needed only for official certificates or if the person wants medical records issued in their own name. Without them, consultation and treatment are provided in full.
Can I come to a consultation on behalf of a relative?
Yes, many people start exactly this way. The doctor will talk with you, ask about your loved one’s behavior, assess the risks and advise you on what to do. A diagnosis is not made in absentia, but you will get a plan for talking with the person and a clear course of action in an emergency.
How long does a consultation last, and what happens afterward?
Usually 40–60 minutes. After the visit, you receive recommendations and a plan. If detox is needed, it can start right away during a home visit. If tests are required, the doctor will explain where and how to get them. The next appointment is scheduled depending on the situation: the next day, in a week or after discharge.
Can I come to a consultation while intoxicated?
Yes, especially if the goal is to stop a drinking binge. But for a full conversation about treatment, it is better if the person is sober or only mildly hungover. In cases of heavy intoxication, the doctor first assesses safety and, if needed, carries out detox, postponing the detailed conversation.
Who will find out that I came in?
Only the doctor and the staff involved in your treatment, and all of them are bound by medical confidentiality. Your employer, the military enlistment office, the traffic police and your neighbors receive no information. Exceptions are possible only in cases provided for by law. You decide which of your loved ones to tell about your treatment.
Do you consult on drugs, not just alcohol?
Yes. The addiction doctor consults on dependence on alcohol, opioids, stimulants, synthetic substances, cannabinoids and prescription medications, as well as on gambling addiction. The approach depends on the substance, so it is important to say honestly what exactly was used and for how long.
Where do doctors visit in Almaty and where are the branches?
Home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements, 24/7. Appointments at two branches: 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. Phone in Almaty: +7 (700) 309-29-88.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Narcology 24 medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) guidelines on alcohol and drug misuse and mental health conditions
- WHO recommendations on the treatment of substance use disorders
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
